Forts
and Castles
8th cent - 19th
cent AD
For each
section there exists a Google-Earth.kmz file which locates the places
on the globe. These files open only in GE, which you must
have on
your hard-disc.
Forts
and Castles
Gwalior
Fort
8th - 16th
cent
Mighty
Gwalior Fort
Photo Panoramio
Gwalior Fort was built starting in the 8th century. Later additions came in two parts: The main fort was built by several Rajput kings, while the Gurjari Mahal (now a Museum) and the palace in the north were constructed by Raja Man Singh Tomar in the 15th century for his favourite queen, Mrignayani. See the lengthy article on its history in Wikipedia
The
Entrance Gate.
Notice the characteristic tile ornaments installed
by the 16th cent Moslem rulers.
Photo Panoramio
Chanderi
Fort
10th
- 15th cent
Badal Mahal
Gate (1450) and the Fort Kirti Durg (11th cent)
Photo
chanderi.net
Rock
paintings near Chanderi, prehistoric
Photos chanderi.net
Tirupati,
Chandragiri Raja Mahal
11th
cent - 1367
Photo Panoramio
Chandragiri
is famous for the historical fort, built in the 11th century, and the
Raja Mahal (King's Palace) within it. Chandragiri was under the rule
of Yadavrayas for about three centuries and came into control of
Vijayanagar rulers in 1367.
Chandragiri was the 4th capital of
Vijayanagar Empire, Rayas shifted their capital to here when Golconda
sultans attacked Penukonda. In 1646 the fort was annexed to the
Golkonda territory and subsequently came under Mysore rule. It went
into oblivion from 1792 onward.
Photo Panoramio , Text Wikipedia
Jaipur
Palace of the Winds
1156-17th cent
View of
town from the western ridge.
Photo Panoramio
In 1156 Rawal Jaisal, the sixth in succession from Deoraj, founded the fort and city of Jaisalmer, and made it his capital as he moved from his former capital at Lodhruva (which is situated about 15 km to the south-east of Jaisalmer). In 1294, the Bhatis so enraged the emperor Ala-ud-din Khilji that his army captured and sacked the fort and city of Jaisalmer, so that for some time it was quite deserted. After this there is nothing to record till the time of Rawal Sahal Singh, whose reign marks an epoch in Bhati history in that he acknowledged the supremacy of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.
Hawa Mahal
(the Palace of Winds.)
Photo palacesandtigers.com
Amber
Fort
16th
cent
Amber Fort
from the valley
Photo Panoramio
Amber was originally built by the Meenas in the town they consecrated to Amba, the Mother Goddess, whom they knew as `Gatta Rani' or `Queen of the Pass'. Built over the remnants of an earlier structure, the palace complex which stands today was commenced under the reign of Raja Man Singh, Commander in Chief of Akbar’s army and a member of the Emperor's inner circle of nine courtiers, in 1592. The initial structure of the fort was entirely completed by his descendant, Jai Singh I. Amber was modified by successive rulers over the next 150 years, until the Kachwahas shifted their capital to Jaipur during the time of Sawai Jai Singh II.
Jaisalmer
12th -
17th cent
The Fort of
Jaisalmer.
Photo Panoramio
In 1156 Rawal Jaisal, the sixth in succession from Deoraj, founded the fort and city of Jaisalmer, and made it his capital as he moved from his former capital at Lodhruva (which is situated about 15 km to the south-east of Jaisalmer). In 1294, the Bhatis so enraged the emperor Ala-ud-din Khilji that his army captured and sacked the fort and city of Jaisalmer, so that for some time it was quite deserted. After this there is nothing to record till the time of Rawal Sahal Singh, whose reign marks an epoch in Bhati history in that he acknowledged the supremacy of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.
Jodhpur
Meherangarh Fort
15th - 17th cent
Photo
dpsahoo.com
Jodhpur's
main attraction is the Meherangarh Fort (16th cent)
Jodhpur was founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha, a Rajput chief of the Rathore clan. Rao Jodha succeeded in conquering the surrounding territory and thus founded a state which came to be known as Marwar.
Bundi,
Taragarh Fort
1345
- 17th cent
Bundi Palace and Fort
The Taragarh Fort, or 'Star Fort' is the most impressive of the city's structures. It was constructed in 1354 AD on a steep hillside. The largest of its battlements is the 16th century bastion known as the Bhim Burj
Pink sari
in the old fort.
Photos Fernando
M, travelblog.org
Agra,
the Red Fort
1565 - 17th cent
Red Fort in
the Jamuna river fog.
Photo Panoramio
The most important fort built during the Mughal era is Agra Fort constructed by Akbar between 1565 and 1573. Akbar erected the walls, gates and the first buildings within the walls. Shahjahan built the imperial quarters and the mosque. A century later, Aurangzeb finished the outer walls of the fort.
Moti
Masjid,
Photo Panoramio
Within the fort, Moti Masjid is one large and two smaller mosques. The larger mosque, Moti Masjid made of marble, is the crown of Mughal architecture. It is a tragedy that it has been closed to the public in recent years.
View of the
Taj Mahal from the Red Fort
Photo Panoramio
Gohad
Fort, Madhya Pradesh
!7th
- 19th cent
Photo Panoramio
The history of Gohad is closely related to Gwalior. Its fort served as stronghold for a long number of Jat ranas and rajas. It is now mostly in ruins